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The consumer demand of alternatives to Big Tech’s social applications warms up. Alternative social networks such as Bluesky and Mastodon are attracted to people who leave X, while others build alternatives on open protocols. Similarly, many independent developers work on open, decentralized alternatives to the photo sharing of Instagram, Meta’s flagship, with more than 2 billion monthly active users.
Although none of the newcomers are ready to become rival with the size and scope of the META, their abilities in the shade of Meta also to deliver a small gap. They also arrive when investors began to notice the growing open community internet. In the meantime, people have recently indicated that they would rather leave Tiktok to another Chinese social application rather than return to Instagram.
Below are some applications aimed at building Instagram alternatives to open protocols such as Bluesky’s at Protocol and ActivyPub used by Mastodon and others.
Pixelfed
Although not a new service, the Pixelfed photo sharing site launched the official mobile applications of iOS and Android in January. The application is based on ActivyPub, which is used by Mastodon, Peertube Youtube competitor and many more, including Now Meta Fibers and Flipboard (plus the newer application, SURF). These applications together form the so -called “Fediverse”, which refers to federal servers that make up it.
Like Instagram, Pixelfed allows users to share and discover photos and videos and send direct messages. Unlike Instagram, however, Pixelfed is an advertisement-free, open source, decentralized and default chronological feeds-which is the sales points for users.
Pixelfed’s mobile apps made 10,000 downloads within the first two days on the market mentioned Mastodon.
Flash
FlashBuilt on top of the Bluesky community network, the Instagram alternative only opened its doors last week for beta testers. Like Bluesky, the app runs on the protocol and is limited to the same image and video requirements of Bluesky, which can provide up to 4 photos per mail and videos up to a minute long.
As this is essentially a photo first Bluesky client, users published on the flash appear on Bluesky, while Bluesky users’ comments appear on the flash. The application is part of the Bluesky customer trio made by Sebastian Vogelsang developer that also includes a twitter-like app Log wall and a video app Bluescreen– Finally, the idea is to offer premium subscriptions that overlap these applications, allowing people to switch between customers.
Pinksky
Another Bluesky client, Pinksky, also deals with the idea of offering the first picture of the social network. It is designed to attract previous Instagram users who want to connect photos instead of virus or spindles, but unlike new applications from scratch, pinksky users can enter their network of friends and followers from Bluesky, even if they are not even Pinksky users .
Currently, the application is just a Bluesky client, but if there is sufficient demand, Pinksky can expand other technologies, such as integration with ActivePub or Nostr. So far, the application can be used for free, though you can add premium features later if you grow enough to support your income.
Skygram
Currently ongoing work, Skygram A web-based application aimed at providing a photo-centered bluesky experience. Within Skygram, users can switch between interest-based feeds at the top of the screen, such as gardening, dogs and others. Still quite rudimentary, your SkyGram code is available Girub As the work continues.
